SODELPA MP, Mosese Bulitavu says he supports the Bills to amend the Land Transport Act 1998 and the Offshore Fisheries Management Act 2013 as it will put more money in people's pockets.
While speaking in support of the 2021-2022 Budget Amendment Bills, Bulitavu says the Bill to amend the LTA Act will benefit taxi operators that provide service in the rural community as they have been penalised for picking up passengers in municipal zones.
He says this will give the opportunity to taxi drivers to take home more income to support their family and welfare of the children.
The MP adds the amendment will also benefit taxi drivers as Government will pay their base fees as well.
Bulitavu says the removal of licence fees and boat licence fees will assist those in rural maritime areas especially because fishing is a source of income for many.
He has also commended the Government on the removal of market stall fees as this will benefit vendors as most are from rural areas who travel long distances to towns and cities to sell their produce.
$2.6 million has been allocated in the budget to pay the full market stall fees for one year from 1st August 2021 to 31st July 2022 for the benefit of around 8,000 vendors.
Government has also put aside an allocation of $2.5 million to pay base fees for taxis, minibuses, carriers and buses for one year, also to cushion the burden brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the lowered demand for passenger travel.
From 1st August, Government has also removed municipal taxi bases and stands and will be replacing them with a new concept of ‘open taxi ranks’, which will allow taxis to operate more freely and efficiently within their zones.
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